Chapter 61: The Bet (Please Follow! Tuesday PK Recommendation Spot!)

Xiang Gaowen murmured to himself, pondered for a moment, then said:

"Isn't finding such an existence precisely why we chose to set sail?"

Kamon was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at Xiang Gaowen:

"That's so cool!"

"But to thank you for your help, we're holding a banquet tonight!"

Xiang Gaowen smiled faintly and followed Kamon away.

Along the way.

Countless beasts living in the jungle gathered behind Kamon.

Over twenty years, many beasts had experienced cycles of life and death, yet after parting, new life had also been born.

Their friendship with Kamon had not vanished with life and death; instead, it had become a legacy.

On such a journey, Kamon had already found his treasure, while Xiang Gaowen was still on the road, yet behind him, unknown to him when it happened, many companions had already followed.

……

The banquet was held in a cave in the middle of the island.

Surrounding the central bonfire, Kamon took out his own brewed fruit wine, smoked fish meat, and melons and fruits picked by beast friends from the surrounding woods, placing them in the center of the banquet for everyone to take and eat.

Xiang Keluo raised his hand and clinked glasses with Kamon:

"Sorry about earlier."

Kamon waved his hand:

"Don't mention it; it's all in the wine!"

Having said that.

He ignored Xiang Keluo, took a huge gulp of wine himself, and seeing this, Xiang Keluo's lips curled into a slight smile, and he likewise drank a large bowl in one go.

Kamon's movements were inconvenient; even with the help of beast friends, the wine he brewed could hardly be called fragrant or delicious.

But the wine itself was not the main event of the banquet; the ceremony was merely an embellishment.

At this moment, the smiles and joy on everyone's faces were the most important thing in the banquet.

……

The banquet lasted for several days and nights.

Only when the storm outside the cave had completely subsided did everyone stop.

Kamon, who hadn't seen a living human in twenty years, unleashed all his pent-up enthusiasm; even though many of Xiang Gaowen's group were already hungover, nothing could stop him.

On the beach.

The pirate ship stranded by the storm was pushed into the sea by the combined efforts of everyone.

Fortunately, the ship had taken sufficient protective measures; although there was considerable damage, it did not affect navigation.

After leaving Kamon a Den Den Mushi and telling him that if he needed anything from the outside world, he could contact him directly, Xiang Gaowen departed with a ship full of companions.

……

After a great wind comes a great clear sky; on the sea the wind was light and the waves gentle, and warm sunlight fell from the sky, shining on everyone.

Warm and pleasant.

Nami, who was sunbathing, quietly turned to the side and saw a green-haired figure push open the cabin door and walk out slowly.

"Where is this?"

"Where are Johnny and Yosaku?!"

Zoro scanned the area and asked.

In a few days.

The wound on his chest had almost healed, yet he had only awakened today; though his complexion was still somewhat pale, it no longer affected his ability to fight.

The three swords at his waist were the best proof.

"Yo, you're awake?"

Xiang Gaowen, who was sitting on the deck polishing Guanshi Zhengzong, looked up at Zoro.

In these few days.

He had already used his badge ability to check Zoro's potential; it matched his prediction: Golden Grade.

This also meant that even without any breakthroughs in the middle, without needing to realize his true heart like Xiang Keluo, Zoro, following the proper steps, could become one of the strongest.

Such potential was even above Xiang Gaowen's at this very moment.

He naturally wanted to bring him under his command.

"Did you save me?"

Zoro looked at Xiang Gaowen, one hand pressing on the sword at his waist; his eyes showed a certain eagerness to try, yet he still suppressed his desire.

"If you want to bring me under your command, you'd better do it soon—!"

"Kid, you owe me three lives, you know?"

Xiang Gaowen held up three fingers, a slight smile on his lips, and said, "Is it right to reject a lifesaver like that~"

Zoro's eyelid twitched:

"I only have one life; where did three come from!"

Xiang Gaowen pointed to Johnny and Yosaku in the corner, who were mopping the deck:

"Don't those two underlings of yours count as people?"

Zoro fell silent for a moment, then looked up at Xiang Gaowen:

"What will it take for you to let them go?"

Xiang Gaowen said solemnly:

"How about we make a bet?"

"It's still over ten days' voyage from here to my base."

"You can attack me in any way you like; if you can make me bleed, I will not only return your freedom, but also hand these two brats over to you."

"What's the stake?"

Xiang Gaowen pointed at Zoro:

"You!"

!

"Hmph~"

A proud smile appeared on Zoro's face:

"Now that it's come to this, refusing would just mean I'm being unreasonable."

"However, even if I lose to you, I will still leave this ship on the day I surpass you."

"After all,"

"I still have a promise I must fulfill, even at the cost of my life!"

Xiang Gaowen said calmly:

"Already looking for a way out before it has even begun?"

"But these two things are not mutually exclusive. Never mind, more words are useless; I'll just take it that you've accepted the bet."

The words fell.

Three silver blade lights grew larger and larger before Xiang Gaowen's eyes; Zoro, who had long been unable to hold back, instantly launched his attack.

Clearly, he still felt resentful over his failure last time.

"An impatient fellow~"

A faint smile lingered on the corner of Xiang Gaowen's lips as he thrust Guanshi Zhengzong forward.

The same scene as a few days ago repeated: Xiang Gaowen's sword tip pressed against the intersection of Zoro's three blades; even with all his strength, Zoro could not advance a single inch.

Only this time,

Zoro was already mentally prepared for it.

If a single dagger could do it, then failing to do so with his most familiar blades, the ones that resonated with his very heart, would be strange!

A thought flashed through his mind.

Zoro's two blades in hand withdrew, intending to retreat and build up another offensive, but Guanshi Zhengzong in Xiang Gaowen's hand, like a venomous snake, stuck directly to them.

The relentless thrusts left Zoro unable to cope; he barely managed to block with his three blades dancing wildly, yet his feet kept retreating step by step.

Within a few breaths, he had retreated to the edge of the deck.

But at that moment,

Xiang Gaowen's offensive slackened slightly; just as Zoro let out a sigh of relief, a silver-white blade light shot forth from Xiang Gaowen's hand.

He could only lower his head in time; that silver light flew past his scalp toward the distance...

Pish!

A sea beast, tens of meters in size, had just leaped out of the water when Xiang Gaowen's airborne slash cut it cleanly in two with a single strike.

Zoro turned to look at the astonishing scene on the sea surface, swallowed hard, and said:

"Is this something a swordsman can do?"

Xiang Gaowen smiled faintly:

"A powerful swordsman can even cut down flying dragons in the sky."

"Want to learn?"

"I'll teach you!"

"Hmph!"

The corner of Zoro's mouth curled up, extremely proud.

At this moment, he suddenly realized that joining Xiang Gaowen's pirate crew was not necessarily a bad thing.

At the very least, even against an opponent like himself, Xiang Gaowen was willing to step in and save him, which meant the other party was probably not some utterly vicious villain.

Moreover, having such a powerful opponent to spar with would only make his own growth faster!

He had confidence.

At most three years, and he would reach Xiang Gaowen's current level!

"I will become the strongest in my own way!"

(End of this chapter)